Shadow Empire

Chapter 1132 Is it okay to turn myself in?
It is an indisputable fact that the Perez family is doomed, and the other four of the five major families have already found out through their connections.

Some were even directly warned not to get involved in the matter.

After all, the fact that the five major families could unite them into a nominal "whole" shows that in addition to competition, there is also cooperation among them.

There are only so many criminal businesses. To put it more simply, there are only so many banks in each city. If one more bank robber comes along, they won't be able to rob any more banks. So, in addition to competition, there is also cooperation in many areas.

For example, they established a federal gang council, which brought together all the gangs and set their own rules.

In the underworld, some people, like Mr. Clark McCormick, prefer to be called "Mr. Senator".

He knew he would never sit in the Senate, or even the House of Representatives, but he was obsessed with the title, so he got that nickname.

If someone in the underworld, in a place full of criminals who haven't been arrested, says "Mr. Congressman," they're not referring to anyone in Congress or the local council, but to Clark McCauley.

They formed a... canopy, shrouding the underground world.

But this time, someone poked a hole in the sky.

In the past, they would have united to eliminate the Lance family, making people realize that changing the rules or standing alongside them would come at a huge cost.

Those who reach the top first look around and find that there are not many places left to stand. So what they need to do is not to build a bigger foundation or create more top-notch platforms, but to prevent the climbers below from taking their positions.

The simplest way is to use their power, connections, wealth, or any other means to kick anyone who approaches them down.

The summit is there, and all you see are climbers, but apart from those who reach the top first, you will never see anyone who comes later.

The same applies as you go down the mountain. Except for the countless places to stand at the foot of the mountain, the higher you go, the fewer places there are, and the more strictly controlled the area becomes.

This is what it means to rule.

If it weren't for those big shots putting in a good word, Clark would definitely have gotten involved, but now...

"After the Perez family is gone, will the Lance family take their place and stand with you?" His friend seemed very curious about these things, which showed that his friend was not a gang leader or anything like that.

Judging from his sophisticated attire and impressive appearance, he must be a wealthy capitalist, businessman, or even a member of a prominent family.

Clark shook his head. "I don't know. Now that Mr. Potter's de-gangsterization efforts have made everyone aware of it, I'm not sure what he'll do next."

"Perhaps... a winter is coming for the federal mafia."

"But don't worry, no matter how low the temperature is this winter, winter will eventually pass, and spring will come with sunshine."

"The Federation cannot do without us, whether in the past, present, or future!"

“There will always be soil here for us to survive, all we need is a little water, a little sunshine…” He gestured with his hands to emphasize his point, smiled slightly, and slowly unfolded his clasped hands. “The seed will then sprout!”

"You don't need to worry about our cooperation..."

Clark, this "gangster senator," was clearly confident about the future. He was a man who had experienced some big things, and he knew very well that the most indispensable thing to the Federation was them.

Without gangs, who will help the government suppress the general strike and the protesters who have gathered together?

They can't handle this kind of thing. The more space and freedom the people need, the more protests and strikes they will have.

But now, they've been used as a campaign strategy by a presidential candidate, so they can only endure, wait, and observe.

Just like how they observed the Perez family at this moment, they were discreet and quiet.

The next morning, just before 5 or 6 a.m., Bob's bedroom door was pounded on.

He didn't fall asleep until after 2 a.m. last night, and couldn't sleep at all. The immense pressure was causing him insomnia. He only managed to doze off for a while after drinking some alcohol.

Suddenly awakened by the knocking on the door, he felt as if he were in a terrible situation. His head was spinning, as if he had been punched in the head and couldn't quite process what was happening.

He sat on the bed against the headboard, staring blankly for several seconds before finally saying, "I'm up," then walked to the door, opened it, and asked, "What is it?"

His cousin stood outside the door, his face filled with fear and anxiety. "They've surrounded the manor."

Bob didn't immediately understand. "Who are they?"

But then his eyes widened. He knew who "they" were, of course. Without waiting for his cousin's reply, he strode to the window and pulled back the curtains.

It's mid-to-late August now, during daylight saving time. By 5 a.m., it's already quite light, and you can see the scenery outside.

He saw a large number of police cars and FBI vehicles parked outside, along with a large number of police officers and FBI agents, who were devising response strategies.

For example, they set up police tape to block passersby, and he also saw some pickup trucks with their beds full of standard-issue weapons, and some people were distributing these rifles and ammunition to police officers and FBI agents.

"Fuck!" His eyes instantly turned red.

He turned abruptly, not even bothering to wash up or get dressed, and strode towards the door. "Get everyone up immediately, and make a call to summon more family members back!"

His cousin was completely at a loss for words, something the Perez family had never experienced before. All he could say was yes, and he had no other thoughts.

Within ten minutes, at most, everyone in the manor gathered in the main hall of the manor's main building, where there were about a hundred people standing, though many others were not there.

For example, some family members living on the estate, their wives, children, and so on.

The Perez family estate is essentially no different from other large family estates; all are houses of the same surname living together. The estate is very large, with many houses, and some important family members have their own detached houses.

Besides these people, the manor itself also has some gang members, about one or two hundred people. They are the subordinates and confidants of the family members standing inside, the kind who might need them at any time.

Everyone's face was filled with fear and anger. They were talking and arguing about everything that was happening outside.

As Bob came downstairs with a somber face, the hall fell silent.

Just now, Bob called the mayor to ask what had happened, but the mayor told him to cooperate with the police department and the FBI investigation.

He only hinted that Mr. Porter had given a public speech in New Gold City yesterday, and that the Perez family would be used as a shining bargaining chip in his campaign, or rather, a sacrifice on his path to the presidency!
The mayor warned Bob to destroy any evidence that might link him to him or other government officials and involve the transfer of benefits, or he would suffer a much worse fate.

This isn't a threat, but a warning. People in the state government and the legislature will do everything they can to shut these people up and then destroy all the evidence.

Until all those who deserve to die are dead.

In other words, the Perez family is beyond saving.

He was feeling extremely heavy-hearted at that moment. He had thought that this matter would take a long time to resolve, and he had talked to his lawyer friend last night.

His lawyer friend believes that if the federal government wants to use the downfall of the Perez family as a model of degangsterization, then they must comply with federal laws and procedures, and complete a process of filing a case, investigating, obtaining evidence, prosecuting, going to trial, and finally sentencing.

If no other external forces are involved, this process may last for two or three years, or even three or four years.

After all, this criminal group has many members. To prosecute them all and do it well, we need to thoroughly investigate the crimes of each individual before we can have a "trial of the century".

This gave Bob a slight sense of relief; if he could hold on for this long, there might still be a chance for things to turn around.

But who the hell could have imagined that they would actually show up like this? He didn't even know what had gotten into these people that made them want to besiege the Perez Manor. "The situation is terrible. I just spoke with the mayor on the phone. Those people outside are from New Gold City, from... a higher level of power."

“They want to wipe us out and throw us at the table as a pretty political bargaining chip.”

“We may have played this role before, not being served, but serving others. But now, it’s our turn.”

The Perez family has always had a dirty business, playing such a dishonorable role, but Bob never imagined that they, who were originally in cahoots, would end up on the dinner table.

The emotions of the people in the hall began to be amplified in his eyes and ears, and he could clearly see their terrified expressions and eyes.

After they had vented their emotions for a while, Bob raised his hand and gestured for people to quiet down. "I will try to negotiate with them. If we can succeed, even if it comes at a price, such as me turning myself in in exchange for the safety of my family, I will cooperate with them."

“But if they refuse to negotiate, or even… to wipe us out, then brothers, sisters…” He clenched his fist, “the glory of the Perez family is not something to boast about, it is something we have forged with our own hands through blood and fire, death and slaughter.”

"If they want to take everything from us—glory, wealth, status, even our lives—then let them pay with their lives!"

These words did have a morale-boosting effect at the time, but Bob knew very well that even if morale was boosted, it wouldn't necessarily change the outcome or the future.

He took a deep breath and said, "I'll go out and talk to them now."

Soon, he arrived at the gate with several people who volunteered to follow him. The police officers and FBI agents at the gate immediately locked their eyes on him.

Early in the morning, before the operation, Perez placed a list and photos of some of the family's main members in front of everyone.

They all knew Bob and knew he was a big shot.

As he approached the main gate and opened the side door to leave, two FBI agents approached him. "You can't leave."

Allen, who was standing to the side, smiled at this scene, a look of disdain on his face. They were about to kill these people, but they were acting like they were going through the motions.

Lance was wary of the FBI, but he couldn't see anything about these people that warranted his suspicion.

Of course, this may be related to his skill level not being high enough.

The FBI was in charge now, so he just stood to the side, smoking a cigarette and watching Bob and the people around him.

"I'd like to speak with your commander, or the director or something, about something that interests you."

The two detectives hesitated for a moment, and one of them said, "Wait a minute," before running back to ask Chief Roland for instructions.

The combat captain next to Allen asked, "What do you think they're trying to do?"

“A pointless struggle, before death arrives.” Allen seemed to have a strong opinion on these matters.

"Do you think they will succeed?" his combat captain asked again.

He didn't actually want these people to succeed. After all, the sense of participation and glory in participating in a battle to kill the top gang was unprecedented!
This is an honorable thing, so much so that it can be written in a notebook and placed in the shrine at home!

Allen smiled. "It's difficult."

Two minutes later, Bob was taken away to the temporary command post at the back.

In the command center, he saw Lance, who was also wearing a police uniform today—the deputy chief's uniform—and he sat down next to Chief Roland.

The moment Bob saw Lance, his eyes turned even redder, and he stared at Lance with eyes full of hatred. "It's you!"

Lance looked at him with a smile, "That's an interesting point. If it's not me, then who else could it be?"

He looked at Director Roland and said, "You may not know him, let me introduce you."

"This is Mr. Bob, Bob Perez. I'm not sure if he has a middle name. He's a very core member of the Perez family, and Fran often consults him on many matters."

“He should be in charge now, and most importantly!” Lance emphasized, “The conflict between us was probably caused by this Mr. Bob.”

Director Roland glanced at Lance with a strange expression, then looked at Bob with a look of pity.

When Bob angered Lance, he probably didn't realize that his decision would lead to the destruction of his family.

Of course, even if someone had told him that, he wouldn't have believed it; they were the Perez family!
In this country, having already reached the pinnacle of the underworld, even surpassing some major capitalists in certain aspects, would they fear a third-rate gang that rose to power in the south?
Isn't this some kind of joke about the Holy Mother?!
But the truth is often so absurd: today, Lance is sitting here, and Bob is standing.

Bob took a few deep breaths, closed his eyes to calm himself down, and then looked away from Lance, instead looking at Director Roland. "If... I turn myself in, will you let us go?"

Director Roland's gaze returned to calm, but a hint of amusement lingered beneath. He shook his head. "Bob, you need to understand one thing: you're not the only one involved in the Perez family's crimes."

“Almost everyone in your family has been involved in crimes, as have those gang members. They committed crimes. From a legal perspective, you are all criminals and should be tried and brought to court.”

"If you can stop this case just because one person surrenders, then in the future, if we have to stop every case just because one person comes forward to surrender, what do you take the judiciary for?"

He turned to look at Lance as he spoke, “Just like Mr. Lance.”

"Mr. Lance, if you turn yourself in now, we will stop our investigation. Will you turn yourself in?"

Lance laughed and said, "If you have evidence, you can arrest me."

Director Roland turned to Bob. "You saw it."

"If you want to avoid casualties, the simplest way is to have everyone write down what they have done, and then wait for us to go in, take over the entire estate, and collect evidence of everyone's crimes."

"As for your idea of ​​having a few people take the blame and then letting the Perez family off the hook, that's impossible!"

Director Roland wore a cold, superior smile. "The Perez family must be completely eradicated from the Federation, understand?"

Bob's face turned deathly pale. He gritted his teeth. "Aren't you afraid of causing huge casualties and social unrest?"

Speaking of this, Director Roland was even less likely to let him off the hook. "This is the meaning of our existence. Pain is only temporary, but it can bring long-term peace and stability. It is all worth it."

"Either you and all your people turn yourselves in, and everything will be resolved peacefully."

"Either we storm in, find the evidence ourselves, and then put you on trial."

"You have... half an hour. We'll start taking action in half an hour."

Lance glanced at him again; clearly, this bastard had no good intentions.

Bob sighed, glanced at Lance again, and then turned and left.

Lance didn't ask Director Roland why he didn't just detain him and throw the Perez family into chaos so they could make their move later.

Because he knew that Director Roland's reminders and intimidation were intended to strengthen their resolve to fight back. Since they were going to die anyway, they might as well take a gamble.

The ultimate goal of doing this is to deplete the Lance family's manpower, since the Lance family is also the main attacker today.

(End of this chapter)